All posts filed under: Art

A Clockwork Orange Canvas Book Bag by Out of Print Clothing

i want: A Clockwork Orange Canvas Book Bag by Out of Print Clothing

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess is one of my favourite books. I re-read the book and watch the Kubrick movie it every couple of years. The art by David Pelham from the 1972 Penguin softcover is my favourite rendition of the book’s cover. A quick Google Image Search on “a clockwork orange book” will give you a list of other covers and it’s easy to see why David’s work is so iconic. You can see some other famous David Pelham covers over at Flavorwire. So when Out of Print Clothing created their A Clockwork Orange series using this iconic cover image I had to own it. I purchased the grey A Clockwork Orange sweatshirt and it’s easily the most commented on piece of clothing I own. The shirts and phone cases are great too but the A Clockwork Orange Canvas Book Bag is calling my name. Now, I have no damn need for another canvas bag, I have a closet shelf full of them but I just can’t resist the all over print of …

Luminato and Yves Saint Laurent Opening Night Party and Big Bang Bash

Luminato at The Hearn Generating Station

I’ve been around the event block many, many times in this city and these days it takes a lot to impress me. Luminato’s Big Bang Bash and the Yves Saint Laurent Opening Night Party at the Hearn Generating Station did just that last night. It was a combination of a spectacular venue and major nostalgia that took hold of me and never let go. I love Luminato. It’s been a great addition to the Toronto arts scene. Anticipation was high for the after I received the press release letting the world know that the Hearn Generating Station would be the location for this year’s fundraising gala. I didn’t know anything about the Hearn Generating Station at the time but clarity happened once I read over the words “The one-of-a-kind venue has never before been used for an event like this, of this magnitude, but glimpses of the facility have been seen in the popular films, Pacific Rim and Robocop.” I just watched the horrible Robocop remake the day before. I knew the movie was filmed …

I want - I got's Toronto Design Offsite Festival 2014 Picks

I want – I got’s Toronto Design Offsite Festival 2014 Picks

In Toronto the third week in January is all about design. Some really cool people I know help make the Toronto Design Offsite Festival a reality. The Toronto Design Offsite Festival (TO DO) is a not-for-profit, independent design festival happening annually at the end of January. TO DO’s aim is to provide exposure for local and national designers; to foster public understanding and knowledge of the practice of design; and to create an ongoing presence that promotes Canada’s creativity, drawing on great thinkers, practitioners, and educators to a deliver an innovative celebration of art and design. The TO DO Festival runs from January 20 – 26, 2014. Here are some I want – I got approved options if you are looking to check it out. A Film: Eames: The Architect and The Painter Tue, Jan 21, 2014 Herman Miller Canada Showroom | Film Narrated by James Franco, the film brings to light a virgin cache of archival material, visually stunning films, photographs and artifacts produced by Charles and Ray Eames with their talented staff during …

I want – I got’s 2013 Holiday Gift Guide – For the Well Read Fashion Lover

It’s that time of year again and I want – I got is putting together massive Gift Guides of things I think would be perfect to give as gifts this season. The second Gift Guide in the series deals with Books of the fashion variety. I haven’t kept up on my fashion books this year but thankfully, my savior, Nathalie Atkinson at the National Post has. I trolled her articles at the National Post to come up with this list. Some of these books like, The Coat Route is already on my list to read and now I have 7 others. Hazlitt #1 – I tossed this one in the list because my friend and one of my favourite designers, Jeremy Laing is Art Director for the issue. How to Read Fashion: A Crash Course in Styles, Designers, and Couture by Fiona FFoulkes Giambattista Valli The Coat Route: Craft, Luxury, & Obsession on the Trail of a $50,000 Coat by Meg Lukens Noonan Philip Treacy by Kevin Davies The Master of Us All: Balenciaga, His …

KAELEN X Sam Roberts Band Operanation Tee

Operanation might be over for the year but you can still support the Canadian Opera Company with a limited edition KAELEN X Sam Roberts Band Operanation Tee. The T-shirt incorporates elements of this years Operanation theme, Temptation. We may not have gotten the Kaelen x Amy Burstyn-Fritz treatment but the t-shirt is a more accessible way to get into Kaelen. As a friend of Operanation, I was gifted a KAELEN X Sam Roberts Band Operanation Tee to wear. The first thing that struck me was the fit. It might just be me but when I put on a t-shirt with the perfect fit everything feels right in the world. The next thing that hit me was the perfect branding. I hate logo shirts so it was really refreshing to have a t-shirt that managed to namedrop without it being overpowering to the design. The third thing that stood out was the design itself (and that it extends to the back of the shirt). This is a t-shirt that looks like it wasn’t designed by committee. …

I want – I got’s Top Picks for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche: The Final List

There are just too many interesting sounding art installations going on during Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. Too many to post about individually on the site. I started but I realize it’s pretty pointless. So, I’ve decided to share My Scotiabank Nuit Blanche planner. It’s pretty ambitious and I’m sure I won’t see all of it. The Scotiabank Nuit Blanche website is pretty handy. It’s optimized for mobile and it comes with a handy planning tool that you can share with your friends. So, instead of listing everything out here, I’m just going to link to I want – I got’s Top Picks for Scotiabank Nuit Blanche. I’ll give you a few hints off my list though: Forever Bicycles at Nathan Phillips Square Familia at Church of the Holy Trinity Garden Tower in Toronto at Metropolitan United Church Urban Visuals lightbridge at Puente de Luz images: scotiabanknuitblanche.ca

I want - I got's Top Picks for Nuit Blanche: The (Re)Generator Project

I want – I got’s Top Picks for Nuit Blanche: The (Re)Generator Project

The (Re)Generator Project The [RE] GENERATOR Project is an interactive multimedia installation that explores the concept of “RE” (REcycling, REmixing, REinventing, REusing, REpurposing etc) using elements of fashion design, visual art, social media and projection mapping. It is guided by the Akan ideology of Sankofa which states, “It is not wrong to go back for that which you have forgotten.” The [RE] GENERATOR Project will incorporate Gabrielle Lasporte’s organic exploration of “flow” using the Modern Batik technique and Chinedu Ukabam’s digital remix of African patterns and mashup of fashion silhouettes. The installation will close the loop between the creators and their audience, allowing them to “weave” their own inspiration into the installation in real time. A special hashtag will be revealed on the website (http://theregeneratorproject.org) before the installation goes live, making it possible to upload an image or pattern into the installation using Instagram. The selection process will be crowd-sourced using the number of “likes” or comments. H&M Eaton’s Centre, Yonge Street & Dundas Street (Best viewed from the south-west corner of Yonge and Dundas.) …

I want - I got's Top Picks for Nuit Blanche 2013: Chromatherapy

I want – I got’s Top Picks for Nuit Blanche 2013: Chromatherapy

Are you dressing on the same wavelengths as your inner palette? Are you ready to discover the right hue for a new you? Whether it’s mastering the art of throwing shade, or learning how to achieve high level spectrum dressing, #CHROMATHERAPY promises to interpret your colour and style personality via an immersive, vibrant journey through the colour wheel. Co-led by licensed chromatherapists @REERAW and @FINALFASHION, this live media spectacle invites participants to be a part of a latenight #SNBTOstreet level infomercial. Join us to get feel-good advice on how to dress in harmony with the way you live and the person you truly are. Through the transformative powers of silken chakra chroma draping techniques and fashion illustration futurisms, this talk-show-meets-hawk-show will delve deep into the style sub-consciousness of Toronto, uncovering life-changing revelations, one outfit at a time. #CHROMATHERAPY is an upcoming site- and social-specific performance by REA MCNAMARA and DANIELLE MEDER for NUIT BLANCHE 2013, Toronto’s annual free all-night contemporary art event. It is an art project curated by EARL MILLER for the QUEEN ST. …

I want - I got's Top Picks for Nuit Blanche 2013: Philip Sparks Bespoke Bow Tie Shop

I want – I got’s Top Picks for Nuit Blanche 2013: Philip Sparks Bespoke Bow Tie Shop

To celebrate Nuit Blanche, the Philip Sparks shop will be converted into a bespoke bow tie workshop on Saturday, October 5. Between 7 pm and midnight, Sparks and his studio team will be taking custom neckwear orders from shoppers and cutting, stitching and pressing them up on the spot. “Our focus this season has been on highlighting that our menswear and womenswear is proudly made in Toronto,” says Sparks. “This event is an opportunity for customers to see local manufacturing in action and order a one-of-a-kind piece made just for them.” The installation will also mark the launch of a new, premium bespoke service available through the store. Unlike many other made-to-order offerings, Philip Sparks tailors collaborate with customers to develop coats, suits and shirting from scratch with personalized design and material sourcing and multiple fitting appointments. Philip Sparks Bespoke Bow Tie Shop Saturday, October 5, 7 pm to midnight 162 Ossington Avenue (side entrance off Foxley Street)

Hermès Festival des Métiers at The Design Exchange - October 2 - 6, 2013

Hermes Festival des Metiers at The Design Exchange – October 2 – 6, 2013

Hermès Festival des Métiers at The Design Exchange – October 2 – 6, 2013 Hermès proudly celebrates both the passion and perfection of the work of its artisans with the Festival des Métiers in Toronto from October 2 – October 6, 2013 at the Design Exchange. This engaging cultural exhibition provides a fascinating insight into the longstanding traditions and values of Hermès in the crafting of fine objects defined by an uncompromising commitment to the highest standards of quality. The exhibition features intimate behind-the-scenes demonstrations by masterful craftspeople from the renowned Hermès workshops in France, illustrating the methods in which products are painstakingly made-by-hand using techniques passed from generation to generation. Admission to Festival des Métiers is free. October 2 – 6, 2013, 11am – 7pm Daily. Location: Design Exchange — 234 Bay Street Website: www.dx.org

I’m in the Toronto Life Stylebook Fall 2013 Edition

I have a little feature in the Fall 2013 Toronto Life Stylebook. They approached me to discuss my beauty routine and what new products I’m looking forward to this fall. I give shout outs to some of my favourite beauty brands and retailers: Lancome, Chanel, Essie, Givenchy, Marni, Balenciaga, Philosophy, Concepts Salon & Spa and the Miraj Hammam Spa at The Shangri-La Hotel. The most surprising thing about the feature was this illustration of me. I was completely stunned. If you remember, I hated the last illustration Toronto Life commissioned of me. Judit García-Talavera is an illustrator based in Barcelona, Spain. She is absolutely incredible and I’m not just saying that because she created a kick ass illustration of me. She’s worked with clients such as Marie Claire Spain, Telegraph’s Stella magazine, Bloomingdales, ELLE China, Teen Vogue, Gilt Group, ELLE Girl Japan, Harper’s Bazaar Spain, Stylesight, Rolling Stone Spain, Hennessy Cognac and Piaget. You can see all the rest of Judit’s work for the Fall 2013 Toronto Life Stylebook on her blog. The Toronto Life …

Schiaparelli Haute Couture by Christian Lacroix Fall – Winter 2013 – 2014

Christian Lacroix kicks off the revival of the House of Schiaparelli with a Haute Couture collection for the Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 season. Every season the House of Schiaparelli will be inviting a different artist to create a Haute Couture collection. These collections aren’t for sale and purely for the love of Couture (and great advertising to boot). There are a couple of videos out that show the collection and interviews with the designer and Schiaparelli spokespeople. The video below is an interview with Christian Lacroix with Suzy Menkes. I think my favourite part of the collection is the hats. Schiaparelli Fall 2013 Couture Collection on Style.com.

I want – I got’s Luminato Festival 2013 Top Picks

The Luminato Festival is upon us once again. There are so many things to see and do during the festival. Toronto is lucky to have a few Marina Abramovic’s works to take in also. Here are I want – I got’s top picks of the festival to get your started on your festival planning. The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic Unfortunately this is sold out. I was lucky enough to see the show on June 14. It was haunting, beautiful and random. I loved it completely and shamelessly. Willam Dafoe (who I love even more now) and Antony were perfection. It’s a performance that will stick with me for a very long time. I hope to be able to see it again in the future. Marina Abramovic – The Past, The Present, and The Future of Performance Art: A Lecture – June 18, 2013 – 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. — No Intermission.. $25 Winter Garden Theatre A Symphonic Birthday Party – June 21, 2013, 8:00 p.m. – 9:20 p.m. Free. The Hub at …

Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014

I usually only post about my favourite collections of the fashion weeks. The Mary Katrantzou Fall Winter 2013 – 2014 collection a favourite not because I loved most of the looks. It’s a favourite because Mary did something I didn’t expect this season, she changed. I’ve anticipated this move since the Katrantzou print influence took over the fashion world. The typical Katrantzou print was out and photos by Edward Steichen, Clarence White, and Alfred Stieglitz were in. She explored new, angular shapes with some Japanese influences and toned down the colour. There was a lot of black in the collection. I appreciate the risks she took with this collection. The backstage photos posted on the Mary Katrantzou Facebook page should change anyone’s opinion of the collection, it’s just beautiful. “I wanted to step back from color and print and contemplate shapes and silhouettes. It was important for me to take that time,” she said. It was the first season we draped on the stand in a very complex way.” (source) Mary has commercial avenues with …

Chatting with Dorothy Vogel at the Reel Artists Film Festival Opening Night

I didn’t realize I would be meeting an art world superstar on Thursday but I found myself sitting across for Dorthoy Vogal talking about art, booze and Downton Abbey. It was the Opening Night party for the Reel Artists Film Festival. The 10th-annual Reel Artists Film Festival presents a selection of international feature-length and short documentaries that address challenges and questions raised by artists both in front of and behind the camera. Through these films, subjects are revealed, experimental processes unfold, and events are staged. With these three categories in mind—subject, process, event—RAFF handpicked works by artists who play with the idea of documentary and show how cross-disciplinary connections can revitalize the medium, reigniting its creative potential.(source: press release) Opening night was a real treat as the Real Artist Film Festival brought Megumi Sasaki and Dorothy Vogel to celebrate 10 years of the festival and their new movie Herb & Dorothy 50×50. Megumi Sasaki’s Herb & Dorothy premiered at the Real Artist Film Festival in 2009. It documented the lives of Herb and Dorothy Vogel …

Run, Don’t Walk to Roger Vivier: Process to Perfection at the Bata Shoe Museum

The Roger Vivier exhibit at The Bata Shoe Museum is coming to a close and if you’ve been putting off going you need to stop now. April 7, 2013 is the last day you can check out the work of this master shoemaker. I finally got off my ass and took in the exhibit this week. Roger Vivier’s work is of exceptional beauty and technical design. He invented so many of the classic shoe styles some of which are as popular as ever more than 50 years later. Roger pushed shoe design to new levels with his creative and technical sides. Vivier perfected the modern stiletto in 1954. He never used the term stiletto but aiguille (needle heel). The Choc heel which looks like a concave stiletto came along in 1959. My favourite pair of the exhibit are a Choc heel and pictured above. Roger also debuted the Tibet heel in 1959. It’s shaped like a small inverted pyramid. The Polichinelle heel followed, it has a low hourglass-shaped heel. In 1962 he introduced another heel …

Breathless, Jean-Luc Godard and Seberg Chic

I’m a bit of a film nerd so I made sure to take advantage of Hulu free Criterion Collection weekend. I was able to knock off a couple of classics that we taking up a long residence on my Must Watch list. I finally got to cross Breathless off that list. À bout de souffle is the original title of film directed by French New Wave pioneer Jean-Luc Godard and it translates literally into “at breath’s end”. A small time crook, Michel Poiccard, chased by the police after stealing a car, shoots one of them and flees. Back in Paris he finds an American girlfriend and succeeds in seducing her. He convinces her to go to Italy with him. But the police have discovered the murderer’s identity and are on his trail…(source) This movie is know in fashion circles because of the exception style the lead actress, Jean Seberg, a 60s fashion icon. I was awestruck by the wardrobe of her character Patricia in the film. I learned that there was no costume designer working …

The Door by Ava DuVernay – Miu Miu The Women’s Tales #5

Miu Miu. How I love you for the latest film in your Women’s Tales series. I never expected to see a film with an all black cast by a black director associated with Miu Miu ever. As you can guess I’m pleasantly surprised to be wrong and totally in love with Miu Miu. The cast rocks Miu Miu designs and look smoking hot doing it. LOVE! The Door, by Ava DuVernay, the fifth Miu Miu Women’s Tale, is a celebration of the transformative power of feminine bonds, and a symbolic story of life change. The symbolic centre of The Door is the front entrance of the protagonist’s home. As she opens it to greet a friend in the powerfully framed opening scenes, she is shrouded in an oblique sadness. “In the film, characters arrive at the door of a friend in need, bringing something of themselves,” explains director DuVernay. “Eventually, we witness our heroine ready to walk through the door on her own. The door in the film represents a pathway to who we are.” …

Givenchy Spring Summer 2013 Ad Campaign

I’m loving the Givenchy Spring Summer 2013 ad campaign. Kate, Mariacarla and Marina in one campaign, OMG. My favourite model Mariacarla Boscono is back with her baby in tow and looking amazing. Looking better than ever. Performance artist, Marina Abramovic, whose movie The Artist is Present is an absolute must see, is looking so incredible. I love this woman. The uncanny Kate Moss, she just doesn’t lose her touch. Check out the making of video. Photographers: Mert Alas & Marcus Biggott And Riccardo Tisci Models: Kate Moss, Mariacarla Boscono, Marina Abramovic, Jose Maria Manzanares, Jared Buckhiester images: thefashionspot.com

Comme des Carrés, Hermès x Comme des Garçons

A few months ago Hermès and Rei Kawakubo announced that they would collaborate. Comme des Garçons x Hermès scarves naturally got people pretty excited. I’m one of them. The collaboration resulted in two collections named “Black and White” and “Colour”. Rei incorporated house designs and manipulated them to create something new. The ‘Black and White’ collection is available only in Comme des Garçons shops (Aoyama-Tokyo, New York, Paris). The ‘Colour’ collection: collection can only be purchased at Dover Street Market stores (London, Tokyo). For people who can’t get to Tokyo, Paris or New York, you can buy the scarves online at www.doverstreetmarket.com from February 6, 2013 for the ‘Colour’ collection and from April 1, 2013 for the ‘Black and White’ collection. Prices start range from £300 – £1,500. They are rolling out the sale of the scarves in the retail shops. Here are the details From 6th February 2013 in the Comme des Garçons shop, Paris From 7th February 2013 in the Comme des Garçons shop, New York From 8th February 2013 in the Comme …

BIG Dream: How a Dior Dress Came to the ROM – February 9, 2013

BIG Dream: How a Dior Dress Came to the ROM – February 9, 2013 Dr. Alexandra Palmer delivers the inside scoop on the ROM’s commission of the House of Dior’s design and creation of the breathtaking haute couture dress now taking centre stage in BIG. Includes the world premiere of the full version of the film Dior about the making of the dress. Saturday, February 9, 2013 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm Royal Ontario Museum Signy and Cléophée Eaton Theatre President’s Choice School Entrance Public: $20 RPC, YRC Members: $15 Members: $15

Dina Gonzalez Mascaro Jewellery

I went to the opening of the SORRY, I’M NOT SORRY, I’M NOT A JEWELLER by Dina González Mascaró show held at the Ossington Philip Sparks shop. Dina is an Argentinian, born Vancouver based artist visiting the city for the Interior Design Show and the Toronto Design Offsite Festival. She has a Master’s degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in sculpture but she is a self-taught jewellery artist. Dina’s jewellery is very much and extension of her artwork. I really love what she does as it’s so unique. She is really pushing design in a different direction. The jewellery has added dimension and structure not normally seen. Strong women wear these pieces otherwise they end up wearing you. I’m not a cyclist but her bike series is amazing. The wheels move on the mini bikes and the wheel pendant is just perfect. If you are in Vancouver you can visit Dina’s shop/studio, JewellerBau. She does custom work as well. At the opening Dina described a set of wedding bands she created for an artist …

Come Up To My Room – 10 Year Archive Project

Come Up To My Room, The Alternative Design Show starts this week. I’ve always really liked the event and covered it extensively for blogTO in 2007 and 2008. Come Up To My Room (CUTMR) is the Gladstone Hotel’s annual alternative design event. CUTMR invites artists and designers to show us what goes on inside their heads. Coming together in dialogue and collaboration, participants are limited only by their imaginations, making CUTMR one of the most exciting shows in Toronto. As this is an important anniversary for this ever-expanding show, the tenth installment will emphasize the idea that formed the basis for the very first CUTMR – occupying and altering a space in a dramatic, conceptual, or experimental way. So, CUTMR is 10 years old and now you can view all of the past events thanks to the Come Up To My Room 10 Year Archive Project. Attend the event at The Gladstone Hotel this week and see what you missed over the years online.

Come Up To My Room – January 24 – 27, 2013

Come Up To My Room – January 24 – 27, 2013 Exhibition Hours: Thurs 6-8pm, Fri 11am-8pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-5pm | Exterior, Café, Ballroom + 2nd Floor Gallery Opening Reception: Sat Jan 26, 2013 | 7-11pm | 2nd Floor Love Design Party: Sat Jan 26, 2013 | 10pm-2:30am | FREE | (this is the official closing party for the Toronto Design Offsite Festival) Panel Discussion: Evolution – Designers Conversations in a Collaborative City: Sun Jan 27, 2013 | 1pm-3pm | Gladstone Ballroom This year CUTMR welcomes 25 individuals and collectives drawn from the worlds of architecture, industrial design, fashion, and contemporary art to transform the Gladstone Hotel both inside and out with site-specific and immersive installations. For the first time, CUTMR will break through the walls of this historic venue, adding design installations to the hotel’s exterior and surroundings. Site-specific furniture, lighting, and art will push the boundaries of design throughout the Romanesque red brick of the hotel’s gallery rooms, public spaces, and beyond. The exterior installations will be created primarily by CUTMR alumni, …

Get Your Own Snowflake by Ideas Factory

Ideas Factory is a full service creative agency and they created this little web application that generates an individual snowflake based on the mathematical values of your name for the Holidays. I thought this was super cute so I did one for me, Anita Clarke. Of course, I had to do one for I want – I got also Get your own snowflake at the Ideas Factory. images: ideasfactory.co.uk